News
Divestment: CSOs Want FG To Prohibit Oil Companies Sales Of Assets In Niger Delta Until…

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin
Following the announcement of acquisition of 100% of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC Ltd) by Oando Plc, Civil Society Organizations have urged the Federal Government to immediately place a moratorium on
oil company divestment (or sale of assets) in the Niger Delta region, pending the ascertaining of issues of community concern.
They argued that the call became necessary becaus host communities in which Agip has operated for up to six decades are unaware of the
impending sale and have not been informed by the firm.
Oando Plc had on October 4, 2023 announced that it reached an agreement with Eni for the acquisition of a 100 percent stake in its subsidiary, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC Ltd).
But a statement signed by Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation; China Williams, Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria; Henry Eferegbo, Executive Director, Niger Delta Network for Environmental Justice; Ken Henshaw, Executive Director, We The People and six other organisations, and made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead, said “Agip has been operating recklessly for decades, leaving terrible ecological and socioeconomic legacies,” hence it cannot vacate the region without “addressing several cases and concerns bordering on the ecological, health, economic, and social impacts of its operations in the Niger Delta.”
READ ALSO: Police Arrest Three Over Lynching Of Accused Manhood Snatcher
They argued that “throughout its operations, Agip consistently flared gas, wreaking havoc on the health, livelihoods, and environment of Niger Delta oil-producing communities.”
“Several investigations have found
the corporation and its collaborators responsible for environmental
degradation that has destroyed livelihoods, poisoned communities, and created circumstances for human rights violations,” they added in the statement.
They, therefore, urged the “Federal Government to immediately produce a framework and
guide for how oil companies disengage from areas where they have operated.”
This guide, according to the environmental activists, “should be developed by a multi-stakeholder group including communities and civil society organizations. The divestment (or sale) framework must contain the following requirements for oil
companies and the Nigeria authorities;
READ ALSO: Pregnant Housewife Allegedly Kills Five-year-old Stepdaughter For Defecating
“A scientifically developed post hydrocarbon impact assessment report that establishes the exact ecological and livelihoods impacts of oil extraction.
“A health audit of people located in close proximity to extraction
sites, and others exposed to oil contamination and gas flaring. This
audit will aim at unravelling the negative health impacts of exposure to hydrocarbons.
“A detailed plan and costing for remediating the ecological,
livelihood and health impacts of extraction.
“The establishment of independent frameworks for remediating all
identified impacts and compensation to the impacted individuals and
communities.”
News
Tragedy In The Sky As Pilot Dies Mid-air

What began as a routine trip from Seattle to Istanbul turned tragic. Turkish Airlines Flight 204 was cruising normally when one of the captains, 59-year-old İlçehin Pehlivan, suddenly collapsed.
Despite the crew’s efforts, he sadly passed away mid-flight a veteran aviator lost among the skies he loved.
Over the radio, the co-pilot’s voice trembled: “Initially we had three pilots, but we lost one of our captains today.
That’s why we’re diverting to JFK.” Air traffic controllers responded with compassion, arranging medical help on the ground.
READ ALSO:Travel Chaos: Air Canada Shut Down By Flight Attendant Strike
The aircraft landed at New York’s JFK Airport at dawn, met by emergency teams and a heavy silence. Turkish Airlines later paid tribute to Captain Pehlivan, who had passed medical checks just months earlier and spent nearly two decades flying safely around the world.
Passengers continued to Istanbul, but the memory of this flight endures a reminder of the resilience of aviators, the fragility of life, and the bond shared by those who soar through the skies.
News
Foundation Engages Traditional Leaders To Curb GBV In Bauchi

The Iqra Foundation for Women and Youth Development (IKFWYD) has engaged traditional leaders across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Bauchi State to promote male involvement in efforts to curb Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The intervention is being implemented in Bauchi, Ningi, and Toro Local Government Areas.
Speaking during an advocacy visit, Mr. Ismail Umar, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the foundation, said the role of traditional institutions in influencing positive behavioural change could not be overstated.
“The programme is designed to engage men on issues related to protecting the rights of women and girls.
READ ALSO:Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise
“Family wellbeing and social harmony cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of men.”
Umar noted that challenges such as gender-based misunderstandings, domestic tensions, poor communication between spouses, and limited awareness of shared responsibilities often contribute to family instability.
“By focusing on men as partners in promoting peace and wellbeing, this programme aims to reinforce their positive influence within families and communities.
“We are piloting the initiative in Bauchi, Ningi, and Toro LGAs, and are engaging respected community members to support and guide male involvement in promoting peace, family wellbeing, and the dignity of women.”
He further explained that the initiative would foster unity and cooperation between men and women as partners in building stable and peaceful homes.
READ ALSO:Bauchi Begins Production Of Exercise Books, Chalks For Schools
Also speaking, Mr. Bamidele Jacobs, Director of Legal at Lawyers Alert, an implementing partner of the project, said the engagement of men was crucial to ensuring sustained support and protection for women in the state.
In their separate remarks, traditional rulers expressed their support and commitments to the programme.
Alhaji Yusuf Danyaya, the District Head of Ningi, pledged to mobilise men for the initiative, noting that “a violence-free home leads to a peaceful society.”
Similarly, Alhaji Hussaini Uthman, District Head of Miri in Bauchi metropolis, said the mission of the programme aligns with the traditional role of community leaders in fostering reconciliation between couples.
On his part, Alhaji Umar Adamu, the District Head of Toro, said addressing GBV is a collective responsibility to ensure that communities remain safe and peaceful.
News
Okpebholo Believes In Courage, Capacity Says Edo Poly Rector

The acting rector of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, Dr Nosakhare Arodoye has promised to implement to the fullest the SHINE agenda of the state government.
Dr Arodoye said he was appointed by the governor to change the narrative of the Polytechnic from the present state to global standard with market-ready graduates and wealth creators within and outside Nigeria.
He spoke during the handover ceremony of the leadership in the state tertiary institution.
According to him, “the governor sent me here for development that will position this institution in a manner that will be productively and evidently attractive to all for visible intellectual results and deliveries.
READ ALSO:Abductors Demand ₦5m As Teenager Is Kidnapped In Edo
“I’m for greater impact, lesser noise, the governor as a game changer understands this hence he approved my appointment as a tool for change in Edo Poly. Governor Okpebholo believes in courage and capacity.
“The governor is not a cut to size, he knows how the academic environment works. You can see that his team is made up of global scholars and that is where I belong.
“I’m here to work, I’m going to teach, courses must be allocated to me. I go for what people run from as a progressive, just like the governor, you can see the turnaround of things affecting every area positively.”
Earlier, the immediate past acting rector, Engr. Sylvester Omoruyi briefed the new rector on the present state of the institution particularly the continuous support from the state government.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Okpebholo Nominates Another 5 Persons As Commissioner-designates
He said Sen Monday Okpebholo has cleared the backlog of salaries as staff now receive their salary as at when due.
He noted that a total of twenty-two programmes have successfully been accredited with NYSC calling for various HND awarding departments.
On partnership, he said the polytechnic is currently in collaboration with Xianzi and Fuzhou Polytechnic in China where seven students are currently undergoing studies on student exchange programmes.
Before arriving at the polytechnic premises, Dr Arodoye had visited the palace of the Elawure of Usen, Oba Oluogbe III.
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